Only 72,00 miles on car.
Not sure how old transmission fluid is.
Engine does not ever cut out completely.
Do not know what MAF is.
Spark plugs about 3 years old.
Never any fuel pump problems before.
I always re-fuel as soon as light comes on if not before.
Yes it starts the behavoir problem after it has been driven at least 5 hours straight, that is with quick pit stop for gas. Car has to sit basically over night before it stops acting up and will go again for about 5 hours before it starts all over again.

 

Bought it brand new from dealer in 2004. I am the only owner of car and the main driver.
AS for how low is the fuel, it happens no matter what level the fuel is.

 

Hi renee, not sure if it applies, RIWWP would know;
Do you always use premium gas?

 

Ok, thanks.

So, there are some things you have been neglecting that you need to address as soon as possible. These will probably solve your problem, but since there is so much neglected it's possible that there are other failures being masked.

You need new ignition. Original coils for 2004s can't be trusted past 30,000 miles. Newer coils might last longer, though there isn't much data on how much longer. Plugs can start dropping off on performance as early as 10,000 miles, but are usually fine up to around 30,000 miles, or when coils start failing, which ever comes first. Wires hold up better, but still should be replaced with the other components. If you have a dealer replace these, expect to pay between $600 and $1,200 out of pocket. If you shop smartly, you can find replacements for as cheap as around $190-$230 for all 4 coils, all 4 plugs, AND all 4 wires. Replacing them is quite easy, though about an hour if you don't know what you are doing. Just need a ratchet, a couple extensions, a plug socket, a 10mm socket, and a phillips screwdriver. If you aren't comfortable working on it yourself, an independent shop could probably replace them for $100-$150, or friendly local owners for a beer and maybe some pizza, possibly even for free. Lots of owners in California that should be able to help you out if needed.

You need to flush your transmission fluid. Automatic transmission fluid change interval is 30,000 miles, and you are well past that. It's more important than many people realize.

You need to clean your e-shaft sensor and mass airflow sensor. Easily done with a can of MAF cleaner, though you might want some help from nearby owners to make sure you get them properly. The MAF is inside the intake, but if you follow the intake from the air filter box up toward the windshield, the square on top of the intake tube before you get to the metal throttle body is the back side of the MAF. Disconnect the plug, remove 2 screws gently, and lift it out. The E-shaft sensor is down next to the front main pulley, which is a bit harder to get to.

You may need MSP-16 if you have not taken it in for that. There is an emissions recall that also helps the engine life quite a bit. It should still be free, since it was a recall.

A coolant flush is critical at this age, unless you have had it done recently. Cooling system failures kill more RX-8 engines than anything else in my opinion.

I would also recommend a compression test at a dealer. If you aren't interested in keeping the car, there isn't much point in doing all of this if the compression is failing. 2004 automatics had pretty bad failure rates, and you are in the target zone for it. If you would want to keep the car, then you will need to do all of those even if your engine is failing.

If that all doesn't fix it, and your compression is fine, then I'd next suggest replacing the fuel pump. They can start to fail around 60,000 miles, and typically have heat problems when they start to fail. You missed a few of the typical symptoms of fuel pump failure though, so I'm not jumping to that right off.

 

Thank you RIWWP. I love my car and am taking into shop tomorrow. Just wanted some input from an existing owner. I will print out your suggestions and present to mechanic. Thank you again for your help.

 

I own a 2004 rx8 much maligned automatic. I have put 84,000 miles on mine so far and it pays to read as many post on a given subject as you can. There is a **** load of good verifiable solid information here. If you want try this it may help your understanding of the spark plug/coil/wire change out. http://www.youtube/watch?v=Durte7md814.

It is a video of how to change the plugs/wires/and coils from stock to a BHR up grade kit. Don't forget to buy some dielectric grease for your spark plug boots and some anti-seize for your plug threads. I am waiting to change my differential oil and transmission oil for my winter projects. There are several threads on how to do this or that to a rx8 here just take some time and look around, just about any thing you can ask has already been asked and exists here in some bodys thread on this site.

 

I have a dumb question... I was recently at a local RX-8 gathering and someone mentioned that Sunlight Silver 8's are supposed to be the cursed variant...

Has anyone else ever heard this venal and virulent, verminous rumor?

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=site...hrome&ie=UTF-8

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-multime...silver-164326/

There is a huge pic gallery out there somewhere.

 

google for wrecked rx8...it's probably silver edit:lol I guess people with red cars love to take pictures

 

I was going to say... I did and they are more red than any other color...

What's really funny about this is my response was basically "that is nonsense..." too which he replied "Well, have you ever been in an accident?" At which time I had to shamefully tell him my car is actually totaled...

Lol I still refuse to believe it!

 

I have heard of it, to answer your question.

I don't know the verisimilitude, nor the progenitor of, such a vile and vacuous vilification, and of which the validity of such villainous vitriol is subject to repudiation.

 

You've been eating dictionaries again haven't you!!!!!!

 

Ok, I'll put a dumb one up. Brettus, have you ordered stuff off Mazmart and if so was it relatively hassle free?

 

Don't think I have actually , but would have no hesitation doing so .......

 

Hey Stephen, what are you getting?

 

Everything seems good, it's really just the distance. Ok, penny saving time!!!!

 

Stephen I have recently dealt with bhr and the service was great and shipping was much cheaper than expected. Just fyi

 

Hey guys, Ive read the entire SSV Remove and Clean thread (all 13 Pages or whatever) and im still a bit stuck. I have a loud ticking noise coming from the intake manifold area right where the ssv would be. this happens at idle when warmed up. The car also shakes when warm at icle (happens on and off). I replaced my coils plugs and wires like a month ago so that rules that out and there is no power hesitation, only maybe a bit of power loss If that. Im pretty sure my SSV is clogged because that would also cause vibrations right? Or is there anything else I should check intake manifold wise?

Also my radiator (or at least a sound in that area) whines high pitched when warm? anything anyone?

Thanks in advance

 

I'm just glad someone got my V for Vendetta reference...

 

The issue dealing with shaking at idle is probably just motor mounts being old and not having the vibration-reducing thing in them anymore. Mine shakes at idle too, and I'm pretty sure its a common thing with 8's. I searched about it when I first got the car. You can get new mounts or just live with it, I've chosen to just live with it. And try tightening the overflow cap, that's all ive got for the radiator issue.

 

It seems they're a good bunch from what I've read. I'm looking at coils etc and the exe wheel. Because I'm staying(for now)stock it seems the BHR coils may be slightly excessive but I'm open to opinions. And yes, the shipping was/is a factor as you know from here.

 

I don't know how much more expensive the BHR will be than your alternative, but it is a nice kit that you won't have to mess with for a long time (hopefully). That's the route I went.

 

I just bought a ACT flywheel from BHR myself , PM me if you want to know the details

If you guys hadn't figured it out, me and Stephen T live in New Zealand (as does Brettus)

 

My Sunlight Silver had been in a couple of accidents and I replaced all the damaged parts on my own. And yes, people do post pictures of their wrecked SS here in the forum. I believe, atilla has the first hand reported (member's) SS accident.

 

I have ordered from Mazmart twice in the last two months. No problems with my order, fast shipping